This is my 1st post and our 1st attempt so be gently with me.Our 1st cycle should being at the end of Oct,with EC around 5th Nov.We're very nervous and would be greatful for some advice.We've been ttc for 5yrs and had all the usual investigations only to be told it was unexplained.We were all set for IVF when DH semen results came back as having no "normal" shaped sperm ,prior to this it had been "acceptable".Needless to say he was devasted and is now blaming himself for our infertilty,don't know why it changed.Anyway we now have to have icsi.Does this lead to a higher success rate than IVF or is it the same
Thank you in advance of any advice and support
trisha
Hi and welcome Trisha. The board is wonderful but a little quiet at the moment. Don't let that put you off Post your questions and between us, we've suggestions if not answers! You can learn loads by following a cycle buddies thread from start to finish. It will take a bit of reading but you'll get a good picture of the different drugs, treatments, terms plus, importantly, the emotions and upheavals that often go along with tmt.
I just scrolled through a couple of recent new-starter posts and saw lots of people recommend Zita West's pre-tmt vitamin regime. Have a look at www.zitawest.com. Lots of people on here follow her book's advice on how to best prepare for IVF. I've not done it myself (heard about it too late) but know that I feel happiest when I'm doing 'something' to help the process. See what you think.
Good luck and you can expect other cycle buddies to pop up between now and October. Some tmts are planned long in advance others have FET (frozen egg transfer) which can have a shorter lead-time. You definitely won't be alone!
take care,
Debra.
Me: 44, DH: 31
Game Over.
Dates: Aug 02 - May 06
Tries: 5 fresh + 4 frozen.
Results: 1 daughter, 2 m/c, 1 ectopic.
I have been through 2 cycles of ICSI myself, 1st +ve, but miscarried at 7 weeks, after I broke my leg and the second last month which was a -ve (I had a year between the cycles as I needed to recover from the break)
I think the success rates vary from clinic to clinic, but with ICSI, there is evidence to suggest there is a higher level to fertilisation, as the sperm is injected directly into the egg, but with all things to do with this process it's sometimes in the lap of the gods!!!
You could try the Zita West book which has specfic tips for people going through IVF both with preparation and while you are going through the cycle.
A friend of a friend of mine went to Zita's clinic in Harley Street through both her cycles ... she has 1 daughter 18mths and is pg with her second IVF baby! 2 out of 2 is not bad!!!
My DH went through all the emotions your DH is going through, but you are both doing something very positive, so focus on that ... so you need a little help, there is nothing to feel bad about!
I might be cycling in Oct/Nov myself ... my dh and I are playing it by ear ... we'll know when we are ready, so keep in touch and I might be joining you!
If you have any questions, not matter how mad post them ... I have posted some mad ones ... and someone wonderful on this site will always give words of advice and positive thoughts!
Welcome to the site. I'm sure that you'll find it really useful.
In our first treatment, half the eggs where subjected to IVF and half to ICSI. My DH tends to have a low number of normally formed sperm, which is why we went for ICSI. Unfortunately the treatment resulted in an ectopic pregnancy (but that's another story).
There are lots of things that your can do to help improve the number of normal sperm. You've probably heard the usual ones like not taking hot baths and not wearing tight pants.
Sperm quality does vary over time. My DH has had quite a few sperm tests now and the percentage of normal sperm has varied quite a bit. We were advised that DH should take Zinc supplements and Selenium ACE. He has taken these religiously and it seems to have improved the quality.
We're currently trying IUI treatment but if that doesn't work this month then we'll probably go back to IVF, which will probably be around Oct/Nov time.
I am joining you........currently ticking the days off to October!!
I am waiting for af to have another set of bloods done on day 2.....then I have a scan around day 10.........then I have a hysteroscopy on 11 Sept and I think I will be due to start my IVF/ICSI mid October.
Just another sperm tip......!! Before my DH TESE op last year the andrologist told him to take the Zinc, Selenium and Vit E that Barny mentioned but also banned alcohol for four months............the evil booze has a profound effect on the old sperm..........for some men with azoospermia, they can appear after stopping drinking.......and the same applies to improving the quality!! Just another thought........anything helps in this game!!
Anyway...........I am the most impatient person in the world.....cannot wait for October to come quick enough!!.........bored of infertility and relying on you all to keep me sane!!
Millions of luck to all Oct/Nov cycle buddies!!!!!!!!!!!!! May we all have very happy Christmases after our +ves!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just thought i would bring this post back to page one
How are you all is everyone getting prepared to start treatment i tried losing a bit of weight that i have gained since starting treatment but did not do so well o well still have a month. I have my appointment with the ivf nurse and an embryologist next thursday to discuss doing a FET hopefully starting mid october have no idea what questions to ask all i want to ask is when can i start i better think of some better than that.
not long now til october looking for a nice big crowd of us
hope to see some replies soon take care all
susan
Me 27 DP 28
ttc 6 years started ivf Oct 03 due to M/F
ICSI Oct 03 negative
ICSI April 04 Positive but ended m/c at 10wks
FET Nov 04 positive boy girl twins born 5th july 2005 at 35weeks Blake 6lbs13oz kirsten 6lbs10oz
I am also hopefully going to be an Oct/Nov buddy (all being well) - have changed my hospital so am seeing my new consultant next Wednesday (and I hear that he is very dishy from a friend who has been treated there) - so that's a bonus .......... makes the rollercoaster ride a little bit more bearable! If they use the protocol I think they use then I shall be down-regging 3rd week in October. I'll know more next week. I'm also donating eggs so hopeully that'll cheer someone up for Christmas also.
Well, hope you are well.
Love
Nickie
1st Cycle ICSI - Cancelled before E/R due to poor response
2nd Cycle ICSI - April 2004 Negative
3rd Cycle FET - July 2004 - Negative
4th Cycle ICSI - Nov 2004 - BFP (Oh my GOD)
I'm a Oct buddy. EC 3rd Nov, but starting buserlin injections tomoorw. Really long cycle. Its because Bournemouth do a batch of us girls all at the same weekend so we all reach ec at the same time. So will be de-regging for 4 weeks. Seems like ages. I've switched to the injections as the sniffing did my head in last time.
Well this is my thrid go, so fingers crossed. No more money left so its got to work.
Oops dinner buzzer ringing better go.
Me 33 dp 30
me tubal damage
ist ivf Feb04 -ive
fet July04 -ive
ivf Nov04 +ive twins, but sadly one twin died at 10 weeks gestation. Freya born 21st July 2005. She's amazing!
Hi there. Would like to join in too if thats ok. Am due to start sniffing in mid Oct. Didn't have to last time as was on a different protocol so am wondering what the effects will be like. Found the drugs better than I thought last time - was the emotional side of it that hit us both - particularly the two-week wait. Went part time last year to try to regain some control but am still looking forward to the will I be able to go to that meeting or not fun and games again! Found Zita West's book very helpful for tips on how to cope - focus on relaxing, supplements etc. Am trying acupuncture this time as well - I figure it can't do any harm Good luck to everyone.
Ax
Me:31 DH:35
1st IVF/ICSI June 04 -ve
2nd IVF/ICSI Nov 04 +ve
Fingers and toes crossed for the next stage!
Barny is right. There are so many things you can do to improve sperm morphology. My husband had a low number or normal sperm on his first analysis. He stopped riding his bicycle (poor thing) and I think he improved his diet/cut down on drinking, etc. for a few months too. It also matters how old the sperm are, so there is an optimal schedule for when to release them prior to giving a sample - I think it's 3 days prior or something like that.
His sample on the day of EC was excellent quality, I'm proud to say, and resulted in 8 lovely embies, two of which have been growing into twins for the last 6 weeks!
So don't feel discouraged - different days will provide different quality samples and ICSI should help as well.
Best of luck to you and all the other Oct/Nov cycle buddies!
Alicia
TTC 2.5 years - Me 38 no tubes; DH 32
1st- IVF June 2004 - early MC
2nd - FET Aug 2004 - Twin boys born April 25, 2005!!!
hello people, recognise some names I am to start sniffing next week. Its my second go had an unsucessful go in april/may/june at least it felt it went on that long. 4 embies 2 transfered none attached. I'm almost 38 TTC for 5 year have unexplained .........dont you just hate that word. Took me the summer to start to feel human again I really do not know how people go straight into ANOTHER go.
Went to get my meds today -the nurse was pregnant (nice touch) but hay she looked happy..I'm please for her ..............as well as the other people who have effortlessly got pregnant around me in the last 6 months but for all of those who have I know that there are others out there suffering in silence. I find it reallt frustrating,Dh is very good but every time I go and see the consultant I end up in tears so I am going to try and counselling, I though I had my head around it but sometimes it just erupts so ||I want to go and see about it.
Anyway I wasnt sure if I was going to post this time as it gets obcessive but h*** its a roller coaster and I probably will need help holding on to it.
I was just thinking about you...... I think we cycled together for a bit during one of your long months of sniffing....you poor thing! Anyway I'm still here.....on the Sept/Oct thread for my 6th attempt!
So glad that you are starting again you must be pleased. It is difficult but at least you know you are working towards that goal!!
Will you have to sniff for as long as the last time??
Millions of luck this time sweets...you deserve it
Hi Bronagh,
Just wanted to add a hello to you. I am on my first Egg Donor IVF Cycle. Jen mentioned you were on the spray for a long time on a previous cycle. I am now on day 50 and still sniffing away, I had real trouble down regging was this the problem with you? I hope they take it into account and adjust things this time round for you. Take care and luck for starting love Jill x
1st Cycle ICSI - Cancelled before E/R due to poor response
2nd Cycle ICSI - April 2004 Negative
3rd Cycle FET - July 2004 - Negative
4th Cycle ICSI - Nov 2004 - BFP (Oh my GOD)
,prior to this it had been "acceptable".Needless to say he was devasted and is now blaming himself for our infertilty,don't know why it changed.Anyway we now have to have icsi.Does this lead to a higher success rate than IVF or is it the same
Post your questions and between us, we've suggestions if not answers! You can learn loads by following a cycle buddies thread from start to finish. It will take a bit of reading but you'll get a good picture of the different drugs, treatments, terms plus, importantly, the emotions and upheavals that often go along with tmt.
o well still have a month. I have my appointment with the ivf nurse and an embryologist next thursday to discuss doing a FET hopefully starting mid october have no idea what questions to ask all i want to ask is when can i start 
Found the drugs better than I thought last time - was the emotional side of it that hit us both - particularly the two-week wait. Went part time last year to try to regain some control but am still looking forward to the will I be able to go to that meeting or not fun and games again! Found Zita West's book very helpful for tips on how to cope - focus on relaxing, supplements etc. Am trying acupuncture this time as well - I figure it can't do any harm